Innovative educational materials designed to fill the void in jazz education for bass trombone and tuba players, incorporating jazz language into technical exercises for self-expression and musical development.
This method book was written to address the lack of bass trombone and tuba solo material in the jazz world. Bass trombone and tuba are underutilized as soloistic instruments, and this collection incorporates jazz language into technical etudes designed for self-expression and musical development.
Additional volumes and supplementary materials are in development. Stay tuned for more innovative educational resources designed specifically for low brass jazz education.
Get UpdatesRon's innovative approach to jazz education: "Sing What You Play, Play What You Sing" - a unique methodology that combines vocal technique with low brass performance for enhanced musical expression and improvisation skills.
The "Trombocalist" method bridges the gap between vocal expression and instrumental technique. By teaching students to sing what they play and play what they sing, this approach develops:
Developed through decades of teaching at major Texas universities and refined through work with professional jazz ensembles, the Trombocalist method has helped hundreds of students discover their authentic musical voice.
Learn to sing your improvisations first, then play them with authentic phrasing and emotional connection.
Develop proper low brass technique while maintaining the natural flow of vocal expression.
Build authentic stage presence through the natural connection between voice and instrument.
Learn the Trombocalist method through private lessons, clinics, or educational materials.
Explore Ron's musical journey through albums, collaborations, and performance recordings that showcase the Trombocalist methodology and jazz education excellence.
The signature album showcasing Ron's innovative "Trombocalist" methodology - where vocal technique meets low brass mastery in jazz performance and education.
Jazz improvisation lesson recorded for the New York Hot Jazz Camp
Demonstration of the unique "sing what you play" methodology
Coming Soon
More educational videos and performances will be added regularly
Advanced jazz improvisation and performance techniques
Live performance showcasing the Trombocalist approach
Professional ensemble performance and arrangement
Schedule private lessons, book educational clinics, or attend upcoming performances and masterclasses with Ron Wilkins.
Ron Wilkins will serve as the guest clinician for the Texas Music Educators Association 2025 ATSSB All-State Jazz Ensemble, bringing his unique "Trombocalist" methodology to Texas's finest young jazz musicians.
Weekly performances at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club
Note: Contact Ron for specific Friday availability
Special performance with Hillary Kole at Emelin Theatre
Performance at the historic Smalls Jazz Club
Special Oscar Peterson tribute concert at Koerner Hall
Performance at MCG Jazz Concert Hall
Special holiday production at the Joyce Theater
One-on-one instruction in the Trombocalist method, jazz improvisation, and low brass performance.
Contact for RatesComprehensive workshops and masterclasses for schools, universities, and jazz ensembles.
Custom PricingProfessional jazz performances featuring the Trombocalist sound and vocal-instrumental approach.
InquireBased in New York City with regular appointments throughout Texas. Available for in-person and virtual sessions. Contact Ron directly to discuss your specific needs and schedule.
Private lessons and local performances
School and university clinic visits
Online lessons and masterclasses
Over 35 years of innovative teaching, academic leadership, and transformative educational experiences across major universities and institutions.
"Sing what you play, play what you sing"
This foundational principle drives the Trombocalist methodology, bridging the gap between vocal expression and instrumental technique. By integrating singing with playing, students develop authentic musical phrasing, improved intonation, and deeper emotional connection to their performance.
Developed through decades of teaching at major Texas universities and refined through work with professional jazz ensembles, the Trombocalist method has helped hundreds of students discover their authentic musical voice.
Professional development workshops for music educators focusing on jazz pedagogy, improvisation techniques, and the integration of vocal methods in instrumental instruction.
Intensive workshops for students of all levels, emphasizing the Trombocalist methodology, jazz improvisation fundamentals, and performance confidence building.
Collaborative development of jazz curricula, method books, and educational resources that integrate traditional techniques with innovative vocal-instrumental approaches.
"Ron's 'sing what you play' approach completely transformed my understanding of jazz improvisation. I finally learned to connect emotionally with my instrument."
"The Trombocalist method helped me develop authentic phrasing and musical expression that I never achieved through traditional methods alone."
Whether you're an educator looking to enhance your teaching or a student ready to transform your playing, Ron's innovative approach can help you reach your musical goals.
NYC-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and educator with over 40 years of performance excellence and innovative pedagogy.
New York City based musician Ron Wilkins has been performing on tenor and bass trombones, euphonium, tuba, bass trumpet and vocals for over forty years. He has performed at the highest levels touring around the world with his own groups as well as premiere artists. Ron is a member of the Birdland Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and runs his own New York City big band alongside trombonist Rebecca Patterson which features their writing and includes some of New York City's premiere musicians.
They recently recorded a new album at the Power Station in NYC, and the theme of the album, "The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant" is about the perception of the passage of time. Ron was put into a medically induced coma on a ventilator for a month with Covid in April of 2020. He did not know he was being put into a coma and woke up a month later. He wrote a suite based off of this experience, and his partner/trombonist Rebecca Patterson wrote originals based off of her experience of time slowly passing while Ron was comatose. This album will be released in Spring 2026. He also has extensive Broadway experience, and most recently was bass trombonist on the hit Broadway show Gypsy, starring 6X Tony Award winning actress Audra McDonald.
Ron has performed with many top-tier artists and musicians, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Lena Horne, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Dizzy Gilespie, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker, Wycliffe Gordon, The Count Basie Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, The 8-bit Big Band, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Jimmy Heath Big Band, Arturo O'Farrill and his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band and Afro-Cuban Band, Chris Potter Big Band, Ed Palermo Big Band, Affinity Brass Quintet, Uptown Brass Quintet, Livio Almeida Brazilian Dectet, Memo Acevedo's Building Bridges Band, San Antonio Brass, Capitol of Texas Brass Quintet, San Antonio Symphony and Festival Orchestra, Austin Symphony and Austin Pops, Mid-Texas Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Temple Symphony, and the Flint Symphony where he was twice guest artist for their summer pops concert series in summer 2003.
Ron Wilkins has been a chairholder on the Broadway shows Funny Girl starring Lea Michele, and Gypsy starring Audra McDonald. Ron has subbed on the Broadway shows Wicked, Motown, Shuffle Along, Frozen, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He has also played with The Big Apple Circus, Ringling Brothers, and numerous touring Broadway shows including West Side Story, The Lion King, Showboat, The Producers, Kinky Boots, Book Of Mormon, and others.
Ron was a featured artist at the 2025 American Trombone Workshop in Ft. Meyer, VA, performing the world premiere on The Roncerto (written for bass trombone, voice, piano, and concert band) by Ethan Gurwitz (https://www.ethangurwitz.com). In 2018, Ron performed at the Bass Trombone Open in Rotterdam, NL, and in 2002 was a guest artist at the International Trombone Festival held at the University of North Texas.
Ron is a veteran of the USAF Band of the West at Lackland AFB in San Antonio.
Ron also has an extensive background as an educator. He has performed as a guest artist at from the elementary to university levels, jazz festivals, and has maintained his own private studio for decades. He has held positions at several colleges including the University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Incarnate Ward, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University, Northwest Vista College, St. Mary's University, teaching low brass, jazz studies, and vocals.
Ron has four cds as a leader, including The Roncerto (2024), Trombocalist (2021), A Tribute To The Masters (2000), and The Bundee Brothers Bone Band (2005) with former Ringling Brothers lead trombonist, Bill Gibson. Ron currently maintains his own private teaching studio and remains a sought after clinician.
Ron is an S. E. Shires trombone artist and plays on Greg Black Mouthpieces.
Chairholder on Funny Girl & Gypsy; substitute on Wicked, Frozen, Motown, and more
Birdland Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and co-leads NYC big band with Rebecca Patterson
Performed with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie Orchestra, and many more
Veteran of the USAF Band of the West at Lackland AFB, San Antonio
Teaching positions at 6 Texas universities; private studio in NYC; featured clinician at workshops and festivals
Four albums as leader; upcoming 2026 release "The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant" recorded at Power Station NYC
Ready to start your jazz journey or book a clinic? Contact Ron directly for private lessons, educational clinics, or method book inquiries.
Private Lessons • Educational Clinics • Method Books • Performance Bookings • TMEA Appointments
